Mayor Elorza vetos City Council Resolution regarding bike lanes

Mayor Elorza speaking at ribbon-cutting of Fountain Street bike lane in November 2016

Last week the Providence City Council passed a Resolution calling for, “full traffic impact and economic impact studies prior to deciding whether to construct new bicycle lanes.”

Bicycle and transportation advocates, along with the Mayor and at least 5 members of the Council hold that these studies would out unnecessary expense in the way of expanding bicycle infrastructure within the city. The Mayor vetoed the Resolution.

From the Mayor:

I vetoed the Providence City Council’s resolution regarding bike lane planning because it sends the wrong message about bicycle and pedestrian safety here in Providence. We support Complete Streets here in our city, meaning that our infrastructure is designed and operated for safe access for all users, of all abilities. We will continue to engage the community in these decisions and we remain committed to working with the Councilmembers to address any concerns they have heard from constituents.

Jef Nickerson

Jef is Greater City Providence's co-founder, editor, and publisher. He grew up on Cape Cod and lived in Boston; Portland, Maine; and New York before settling in Providence. In addition to urbanism, Jef is interested in art, design, and ice cream. Please feel free to contact Jef if you have any question or comments about Greater City Providence.

Sad that in thos day and age the PVD City Council would pass an anti-bike resolution, as Cranston did not long ago in relation to Roger Williams Park, as some time ago happened in Jamestown, North Kingstown, Smithfield, Johnston.
I believe the old guard drive-everywhere culture is hostile to bicycling in part because they know that bicycling is a superior life style, healthier and less polluting. It also has the potential to reduce the outflow of RI dollars to out of state energy providers, but much local leadership is not interested. At least Elorza is an exception, a friend of biking!

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza today announced an effort to revamp the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) by signing an executive order granting the commission more say over where bicycle and...